LESSON 15 SEMINARY Doctrine and Covenants and Church

LESSON 15 SEMINARY Doctrine and Covenants and Church History

LESSON 54 Doctrine and Covenants 46.

LESSON 54 Doctrine and Covenants 46: 1– 6 “The Lord instructs the Saints concerning their Church meetings”

LESSON 54 How would you know what to include in the meeting? How would you choose the music and decide who would give the talks? Doctrine and Covenants 46: 1– 2 1 Hearken, O ye people of my church; for verily I say unto you that these things were spoken unto you for your profit and learning. 2 But notwithstanding those things which are written, it always has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning, and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed and guided by the Holy Spirit. Church leaders are to be guided by the Holy Spirit as they conduct meetings. When have you felt that leaders have been directed by the Holy Ghost in a meeting? How might all Church members invite the influence of the Holy Ghost in Church meetings?

LESSON 54 “Visitors Welcome” Introduction to Doctrine and Covenants 46 Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland, Ohio, March 8, 1831. In this early time of the Church, a unified pattern for the conducting of Church services had not yet developed. However, a custom of admitting only members and earnest investigators to the sacrament meetings and other assemblies of the Church had become somewhat general. This revelation expresses the will of the Lord relative to governing and conducting meetings and His direction on seeking and discerning the gifts of the Spirit.

LESSON 54 Doctrine and Covenants 46: 3– 6. 3 Nevertheless ye are commanded never to cast any one out from your public meetings, which are held before the world. 4 Ye are also commanded not to cast any one who belongeth to the church out of your sacrament meetings; nevertheless, if any have trespassed, let him not partake until he makes reconciliation. 5 And again I say unto you, ye shall not cast any out of your sacrament meetings who are earnestly seeking the kingdom—I speak this concerning those who are not of the church. 6 And again I say unto you, concerning your confirmation meetings, that if there be any that are not of the church, that are earnestly seeking after the kingdom, ye shall not cast them out. What can we learn from these verses about how the Lord wants us to treat others? The Lord has commanded us to welcome all people to our public meetings. How can we help others know they are welcome at our Church meetings?

LESSON 54 A young member of the Church visits a new ward with her family for the first time. After sacrament meeting, a member of the ward greets the family and shows them where to go for Sunday School. He takes the young woman to class and introduces her to the teacher. The young men and women in the class briefly acknowledge her and then proceed to visit among themselves, ignoring her. How would this situation be different if the members of the Sunday School class would follow the principles in Doctrine and Covenants 46: 3– 6?

LESSON 54 Doctrine and Covenants 46: 7– 33. “The Lord explains the purposes of the gifts of the Spirit”

LESSON 54 What does it mean to be deceived? To be misled or tricked into believing something that is not true. Can you think of a time when you were deceived? Doctrine and Covenants 46: 7– 8. 7 But ye are commanded in all things to ask of God, who giveth liberally; and that which the Spirit testifies unto you even so I would that ye should do in all holiness of heart, walking uprightly before me, considering the end of your salvation, doing all things with prayer and thanksgiving, that ye may not be seduced by evil spirits, or doctrines of devils, or the commandments of men; for some are of men, and others of devils. 8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; What do these verses teach about how to avoid being deceived? One way to avoid being deceived is to follow the directions of the Holy Ghost in all holiness. What should we earnestly seek? The best gifts.

LESSON 54 If we earnestly seek the best gifts… Why is each piece important? Doctrine and Covenants 46: 8– 12, 26. 8 Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given; 9 For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts. 10 And again, verily I say unto you, I would that ye should always remember, and always retain in your minds what those gifts are, that are given unto the church. 11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God. 12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby. 26 And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God. What are the gifts of the Spirit to be used for? For the benefit of the children of God.

LESSON 54 To whom are the gifts of the Spirit given? To those who love God and keep His commandments and to those who “seeketh so to do. How many of us have been given a gift of the Spirit? How would you complete the sentence on the board? If we earnestly seek the best gifts, God will grant them to us for the benefit of others. Why is every member important in the Lord’s Church? Everyone has a gift that can benefit others.

LESSON 54 The gift to know the differences of administration is often manifest in leaders who recognize how others’ gifts can be helpful in various positions of service. The gift to know the diversities of operations is manifest in a person’s ability to see the differences between authentic gifts or workings of the Holy Ghost and false spirits, doctrines, or commandments. The gift of the word of wisdom does not refer to the commandment known as the Word of Wisdom. Rather, it refers to the blessing of wisdom that comes to those who “ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally” (James 1: 5). The gift of the discerning of spirits allows a person to recognize or understand others’ true intentions and hidden motivations. This gift helps a person to detect hidden evils and to see the good in others. The gift of tongues and the gift of interpretation of tongues are commonly manifest in missionaries who are able to learn and understand languages quickly. These gifts may also be enjoyed by people who need to overcome language barriers to learn and teach the gospel.

LESSON 54 Why should we seek spiritual gifts? What do you think we can do to seek them? When have you seen someone receive a spiritual gift to benefit others? Doctrine and Covenants 46: 30 -32. 30 He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh. 31 And again, I say unto you, all things must be done in the name of Christ, whatsoever you do in the Spirit; 32 And ye must give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing ye are blessed with.